Flolape

Hypolepis muelleri

Hypolepis muelleri Wakef.
Hypolepis muelleri
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Hypolepis muelleri, known as the ground fern or harsh ground fern, is a small fern native to eastern Australia. It is commonly found in swampy areas and along streams, growing between 30 and 100 cm tall with an upright form. The fronds, contrary to the common name, are soft in texture. The species was named in honor of Ferdinand von Mueller, a colonial botanist. The original specimen was collected from Alfred National Park in 1941.

Description

Hypolepis muelleri belongs to the Dennstaedtiaceae family and is part of the Hypolepis genus. It is distributed across New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and Victoria. The fern was formally described in 1943 by Wakef. It is characterized by its soft fronds and preference for moist habitats. The species is a tribute to Ferdinand von Mueller, a notable figure in botanical history.

Distribution

New South Wales · Queensland · Tasmania · Victoria

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